#2011Mazda2

After seeing the consumer feedback for the 2011 Mazda2 after its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, Mazda has decided to launch the new sub-compact in late July, starting at $13,980.

Mazda has just officially debuted the new Mazda2 sub-compact at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed to compete in an increasingly crowded market against car’s like the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the Mazda2 is designed to be an affordable, sporty car that delivers what Mazda refers to as Zoom-Zoom Concentrated.

Starting in 2011, Mazda’s new products will be lighter, more compact and use smaller engines. The announcement comes from Mazda North America product boss Robert Davis, who specifically said that all new products will weight at least 220 lbs less than their predecessors. The decision is part of Mazda’s initiative to improve fuel economy and Davis says the reduction in weight will lead to a fuel economy improvement of anywhere from three to five percent.

Mazda has chosen the LA Auto Show as the venue to introduce North Americans to its sub-compact Mazda2. Based on the same architecture as the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta, Mazda will be competing with Ford in this segment, which is already populated by vehicles like the Honda fit, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent.

Mazda has just announced that it will bring the Mazda2 model to market in North America late next year, to compete in the growing sub-compact market alongside models like the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit and Ford’s upcoming Fiesta.